Which place is cheaper, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Delhi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Delhi or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Delhi or Kolkata (Calcutta), this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Delhi or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Delhi
Delhi is the largest city in northern India and is officially the country's capital. The city has a population of 11 million with the metropolitan population reaching over 16 million. The city is similar in landscape to the rest of its surrounding area. It is very flat with the river Yamuna flowing on the eastern side of the city. The Aravalii Hills are in the western portion of the city. The city's history dates back to the 6th century BC and it has served as a capital for various kingdoms and empires.
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, India. Featuring colonial architecture, galleries, temples, and festivals, the city has flourished from its roots as an East India Company trading post in the 18th Century to a thriving metropolis. Today Kolkata is a diverse center of culture and bustling activity.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to India, The Best Budget Tours to India, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New Delhi, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mumbai.
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Delhi Prices
India PricesKolkata (Calcutta) Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDelhi $49Kolkata (Calcutta) $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Delhi is $49, while the average daily cost in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $42. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Delhi and Kolkata (Calcutta) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDelhi $21Kolkata (Calcutta) $15
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDelhi $42Kolkata (Calcutta) $30
Compare Hotels in Delhi and Kolkata (Calcutta)
Looking for a hotel in Delhi or Kolkata (Calcutta)? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Delhi Hotel Prices and Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Delhi $4.34Kolkata (Calcutta) $4.53
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Delhi:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$0.11
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Taxi to Airport$1.70
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Subway$0.34
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Uber Cab$0.85
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Delhi Metro Smart Card$1.59
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Auto-rickshaw$1.06
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Delhi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Delhi:
- New Delhi Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $11
- Delhi Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $11
- New Delhi Airport to Hotel Transfer Private Shuttle Sedan & SUV: $11
- From Taj Mahal & Agra Private Day Trip with Transfers: $15
- New Delhi Airport to Delhi Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $16
- Delhi Airport to New Delhi Hotel Private Transfer: $17
- Private Half-Day Guided Shopping Tour with Transfer: $19
- Guided 3‑hour rickshaw ride through Old Delhi with transfers: $26
- Delhi to Mathura private transfer: $28
- Private transfer Delhi to Agra: $30
- Visits to Swaminarayan Akshardham with guide & transfers: $33
- Affordable transfer from Delhi to Rishikesh: $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):
- Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $74
- Departure transfer from Hotel to Airport in Kolkata: $44
- Kolkata - Arrival transfer from Airport to Hotel: $43
- Kolkata Airport to Kolkata Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $33
- Path of Knowledge: A Heritage Walking Tour of Kolkata with Private Transfer: $153
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kolkata Airport: $23
- Private Transfer from Kolkata to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU) Airport: $63
Is it cheaper to fly into Delhi or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Prices for flights to both Kolkata (Calcutta) and Delhi change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayDelhi $18Kolkata (Calcutta) $22
Typical Food Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Delhi:
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McDonalds$3.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Delhi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Delhi.
- Old Delhi Food Tour: 8 Tastings & Tuk-Tuk Ride with Local Expert: $17
- Customized Half Day and Full Day Delhi Shopping, Street Food Tour: $20
- Evening Food Tour: $29
- Old Delhi Street Food Tour – Explore Spices in Chandni Chowk: $30
- Chandni Chowk Delhi Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
- 4-Hour Old Delhi Evening Walking Tour with Local Dinner & Guide: $40
- Old Delhi Night Food Tour - Kitchens & Local Stories: $40
- The Great Indian Food Tour: Old Delhi Food and Heritage Walk: $43
- Cooking Demo + Lunch/Dinner and interaction with an Indian family @ Chez Anjali: $45
- Chandni Chowk Old Delhi Food Tour with Spice Market: $45
- Old Delhi Chandi Chowk Food Tour with Rickshaw Ride - 4-5 Hours: $50
- Old Delhi Street Food Tour With Spice Market On Tuk Tuk: $51
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kolkata (Calcutta).
- Hooghly River Dinner Cruise: $39
- Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $39
- Alleyway Food Tour: $40
- Food Tour Delights of Kolkata with Aditya: $111
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Delhi $18Kolkata (Calcutta) $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Delhi
Here are a few typical costs in Delhi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Red Fort$9.22
Tours and Activities in Delhi
Here are a few actual costs in Delhi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Half-Day & Full Day Tour of New Delhi & Old Delhi: $4.50
- Private Four-Day Golden Triangle Tour with Taj Sunrise from Delhi: $4.88
- Old & New Delhi City Tour-Half Or Full Day with Options Available: $5.00
- Sunrise Taj Mahal and Agra Tour - From Delhi: $5.16
- 3-Day Golden Triangle Private Tour With Taj mahal & Luxury Hotels: $5.59
- Private Same day Jaipur Tour from New Delhi: $5.97
- Private Sunrise Taj Mahal Tour by Car from Delhi - All Inclusive: $6.00
- 7-Day Golden Triangle Tour with Ranthambore Tiger Safari: $6.13
- Jaipur Day Tour from Delhi – Private Car, Guide & All Inclusive: $7.60
- New Delhi and Old Delhi Private Tour 4-8 Hours - Customizable: $8.00
- Akshardham Temple Evening tour light and musical fountain show: $9.77
- Half Day Private New Delhi City Tour: $10
Tours and Activities in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:
- Audio Guided Tour of Pathuriaghata – Finding the Tagores, Kolkata: $6.12
- Walking Tour of Kolkata Heritage and Food: $22
- Hello Calcutta Walk Tour: $25
- Flower Market Colors and Ganges Ghat Experience: $30
- Hooghly River Evening Cruise: $35
- Chasing The Sun Experience Kolkata's Culture: $35
- Kolkata's Flower Market - Hooghly's Flower Fest Tour: $39
- Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $39
- Magic Hour Tour: $40
- Kolkata Midtown Madness- A Street Food & Nightlife Tour: $42
- Old City Walking Tour - North Kolkata: $42
- Kolkata Private Half Day City Tour To Majestic Temples: $42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDelhi $7.68Kolkata (Calcutta) $7.33
Sample the Local Flavors in Delhi
Also in Delhi, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl (3 Hours Guided Bar Hopping Tour): $29
When comparing the travel costs between Delhi and Kolkata (Calcutta), we can see that Delhi is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Delhi Expensive? and Is Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Delhi or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Delhi has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kolkata (Calcutta). When comparing the sizes of Delhi and Kolkata (Calcutta), keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.